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APPLE-BLOSSOM WEEVIL (Anthonomus pomorum). 
At present this troublesome beetle has been noticed only in a 
single locality—the experimental orchard at the School of Agriculture 
Lincoln, where it was observed in November last that all the blossoms 
on a single tree had been destroyed. In all probability it will prove 
to be not infrequent, and in late seasons cause much injury if allowed 
to remain unchecked. 
The first indication of the attack of this insect is afforded by the 
condition of the flower-buds, which often exhibit a healthy and 
luxuriant appearance almost up to the point of full expansion, when 
further development is arrested, the petals wither and become matted 
together, and the prospect of fruit is entirely destroyed for the season. 
On examination it is found that every flower-bud exhibits a minute 
perforation, and that the stamens and pistils have been destroyed by a 
minute white grub one-eighth of an inch in length. 
As soon as the buds are sufficiently developed for the white colour 
of the petals to be distinguished, they are perforated by the female 
insect, and an egg is deposited; the egg is hatched in about a week, 
and the grub commences to destroy the essential parts of the flower ; 
the petals wither and become matted together, and as soon as the 
food-supply is exhausted the grub enters into the pupa-state, which is 
passed in thé withered flower. The perfect weevil is developed from 
the pupa in less than a month from the time at which the eggs were 
deposited, and feeds on the leaves for the remainder of the season. 
On the approach of winter it takes shelter under stones or in crevices 
of the soil, or amongst loose bark and moss. The perfect female is less 
than an eighth of aninch in length, and is furnished witha long curved 
proboscis. She is reddish-brown in colour, with light patches behind 
the head. 
Eggs cease to be deposited as soon as the flowers are fully 
expanded, so that the season during which this inconspicuous pest can 
work mischief is of the briefest, but it is unfortunately sufficient to 
enable it to destroy all prospect of a crop for the season. The 
female, being wingless and passing the winter season at the foot of 
the tree, may be prevented from ascending by tying narrow strips of 
brown paper, saturated on the outside with tar mixed with a little fish- 
oil, round the stem of the tree. These bands should be tightly 
attached round the upper margin, and the oil should be sufficient to 
prevent the tar from becoming ‘dry during the period necessary for the 
expansion of the flowers. 
Should the weevils not be observed until the buds are attacked, 
syringe freely with a strong solution of caustic potash; this 
will kill the grubs and prevent the development of newly-laid 
eggs 
As the period of flowering is necessarily prolonged by cloudy 
weather, it follows that the insect has a longer period in which to 
deposit its eggs, and therefore requires to be more closely 
watched. 
